Argyrios “Jerry” Gitsis, a longtime, local restaurateur whose businesses included former Monroe Avenue hotspot Gitsis Texas Hots, died July 5 at age 91.
The cause was injuries he suffered in a car accident, which happened several weeks ago when he was driving to work at the Coal Tower Restaurant on Schoen Place in Pittsford, said his son Ilias Gitsis, who owns the business.
Born in 1934 in the mountain village of Drosopigi in Greece, Gitsis “embodied the spirit of perseverance and opportunity that defines the immigrant journey,” his obituary reads.
At 17, he and his older brother Stergios immigrated to America, coming through Ellis Island before settling in Rockville, Indiana. They later moved to Gary, Indiana, where Gitsis worked in steel mills.
“The grit of that job only fueled his ambition to forge his own path, which led him to Rochester, NY, where he would build a successful life and lasting legacy,” the obituary continues.
After settling here, Gitsis founded and operated several restaurants: Jerry’s Family Restaurant in Spencerport, Town & Country Family Restaurant in Chili and Gitsis Party House in Ogden.
Arguably, his most iconic venture was Gitsis Texas Hots, which he opened at 600 Monroe Ave. with Stergios, another brother, Sotirios, and a cousin, Dimitri, 10 years after arriving in the United States.
For decades, the 24/7 diner was a huge draw for a lively crowd seeking breakfast or Gitsis Plates after last call at Rochester bars.
The business closed in 2019, and a Democrat and Chronicle story about it inspired hundreds of former customers to share their memories on Facebook. “Nothin’ better than those hots and potats. Not to mention the floor show,” wrote one.
The remodeled building is now home to Han Noodle Bar.
Gitsis started working at the Coal Tower in 2005, when Ilias Gitsis bought it.
“In the beginning, he would wash dishes, peel potatoes, do whatever he could to do help us out,” Ilias said. As the years went on, he moved to the front, greeting customers and working the cash register.
“He was the face of the Coal Tower,” said Ilias, who lives in Webster.
Said Gitsis’ daughter Vaciliki Papademetriou of Woodside, California: “He was a social guy. He was always the life the party. He loved his customers.”
Which is not to say he didn’t lose his temper from time to time.
Papademetriou recalled the time a Town & Country customer pulled out a book and began reading it after finishing his meal while other diners were waiting to be seated.
Gitsis walked up to him and said, “What do you think this is, a goddamn library? Look at the line!”
He also was a stickler. “The register was always correct,” Ilias said. “It was never off.”
Gitsis cherished simple pleasures: cheeseburgers, watching “Gunsmoke” and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
“There was an unbelievable warmth to his personality,” Papademetriou said. “He loved his family fiercely and especially his grandchildren.” On the inside, “He was always a softie. But once he had grandchildren, it was game over.”
Gitsis also was a huge WWE fan, belonged to the YMCA and was an active member of the Drosopigi Society, founded by immigrants from Drosopigi who settled in Rochester.
Gitsis personally helped many fellow immigrants get settled here and find jobs, including at Eastman Kodak, Hickey-Freeman and Stromberg-Carlson, Papademetriou said.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Chrisanthi Gitsis; his parents, Ilias and Victoria; and siblings Dionysus, Stergios, Sotirios and Florika.
In addition to Ilias and his wife, Patricia, and Vaciliki and her husband, Stephanos, he is survived by his brother, Christos Gitsis; grandchildren Eleni Gitsis Papademetriou, Jerry Gitsis, and Chrysan Gitsis; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and pets.
Funeral services were held July 9 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester. A private burial followed.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Longtime, local restaurateur whose businesses included Gitsis Texas Hots dies
Reporting by Marcia Greenwood, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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